Ariat® Westchester Zip Dress Boot Tall Height

A versatile tall riding boot that's appropriate across disciplines, the Ariat® Ladies' Westchester Zip Dress Boot has a graceful, contoured fit and a high Spanish cut. Piping on the toe cap, swagger tab and topline add elegance. This ladies' dress boot has a rear zipper, full leather lining, a comfortable ATS® footbed and a Duratread™ outsole.

The Ariat® Ladies' Westchester Zip Dress Boot-Tall height has versatility that crosses disciplines. Made with of fine imported leather with a full leather lining, this tall boot has a contoured fit through the ankle to create a long, flattering line. Elegant details include the high Spanish cut and piping on the toe cap, bridle-stitched swagger tab and topline. ATS® technology aids your comfort on the ground and in the saddle, reducing fatigue in feet, legs and back and providing stability while riding. A gel cushion insole conforms to your foot; a composite fiber-forked shank provides added stability. Full-length back zipper for easy on and off. Duratread™ outer sole for traction.

Imported.

Premier product - this product is not eligible for any discounts off the purchase price.

For proper fit, Dover recommends that you take the time to determine your measurements before you order. Have another person measure your leg for the most accuracy. Properly fitted tall boots will, at first, be uncomfortably tight around the top of the boot and should come up into the back of your knee. They should be difficult to pull on and off or zip up. As they break in, they will drop comfortably around your leg.

When referring to tall boot sizing charts, it is important to keep in mind that all tall boots are measured at the widest part of the calf, but each brand measures height differently.

How to Measure for Tall Boots:

1. Wear the clothing (breeches, tights, socks, etc.) you are most likley to wear with your boots. 2. Sit in a straight chair with feet flat on the floor and knees at a 90 degree angle. 3. Measure calf around the widest part, and measure height from the floor to back of the knee. 4. Add 1 1/2" - 2" to measured height to allow for drop as your boots break in.

For individual size charts and meaurements, please refer to the "Size Guide" link that appears on the product page.

Dressage boots are crafted of stiffer leather than field boots, and are not designed to drop much or soften at the ankle. They should, however, stand high enough at the knee to help achieve an elegant, elongated leg in the saddle. For examples of dressage boots, see the Mountain Horse Firenze Zip Dress Boot and the Ariat Monaco Dress Zip Boot.

All tall boots require an uncomfortable break-in time to get the final, proper riding boot fit. Dover Saddlery offers an array of products to help you get used to your new boots, from slippery Zocks that make boots easier to slide on to Der Dau Boot Stretch Spray for extra tight spots in the calf. If you have field boots, you can put Sergio Grasso Boot Cream on places of the leather where you need it to soften and bend, such as at the back of your knees and around the ankles. As your boots break in they will become more comfortable to wear.

1) Put on the breeches or riding tights and socks that you will wear with your boots.

2) Pull on or zip up your boots. Initially, they should be difficult to tug on (and off). If your boots have zippers, you should be able to zip them all the way up and snap the closure at the top while standing. The boots should feel uncomfortably snug around your calf without cutting off your circulation. For riders with wide calves, a pair of wide calf riding boots may provide a more comfortable riding boot fit.

If the riding boot fit is too loose, when it breaks in and stretches the boots will develop deep folds around your ankle that may press into your skin and cause friction. Also, if the boot is too loose, it will drop too much and be too short in height.

3) Check the height. For field boots where you want the maximum height after break-in, the front of the boot should rise to the middle of your kneecap. If you cannot see the kneecap at all, the boots are too tall. For dressage boots, the front of the boot should rise to just under your kneecap.

The boots will seem uncomfortably tall and will crease slightly at the top when you bend your knee, as shown in the photo. Wearing the boots will be uncomfortable during your first few rides.

The crease will disappear when the boots drop. You can see how high your riding boot fit will appear after the break-in phase by placing a heel lift in the footbed to raise your leg inside the boot. For a bit more comfort at the back of the knee, some people choose to ride in a heel lift until the boot finishes breaking in

4) Check the feel of the footbed. Make sure that you will be comfortable keeping the ball of your foot on a stirrup pad. If you have ordered a shoe size that is a little larger than you would normally wear in order to obtain a slightly taller boot height, place an air cushion, gel sole or other padded footbed in the shoe of the boot to take up extra space.

For more assistance or to request a catalog call 1-800-989-1500. Or, stop by any of our retail stores to speak with a Dover Saddlery product adviser. Visit www.DoverSaddlery.com for a complete store listing and the full product offering.

How to Measure for Stock Tall Boots
Before you begin riding boot sizing, you'll need a soft measuring tape and a piece of paper. For the most accurate results, have a helper take your measurements by following these easy steps:

1) Wear the breeches or riding tights and socks that you are most likely to wear with your boots.

2) Sit in a straight chair with your stocking feet flat on the floor and knees at a 90 degree angle.

3) For boot width, have a helper use a cloth measuring tape to measure your calf around its widest point.

Do not add increments to your calf measurement. The leather of the tall boot will stretch over time. The boots should fit snugly and should be slightly difficult to put on until they break in. If the boots are too large when you purchase them, they will only become looser over time and will increase the risk of the boot dropping too much, resulting in too short a height.

4) For boot height, have your helper measure from the floor to the back of your knee.

Boot height is a matter of personal preference. Some riders prefer a very tall boot, while others prefer a shorter boot. In general, for field boots you'll want to add 1 1/2 to 2 inches to your height measurement. For a moderately stiff dressage boot, you'll want to add 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches. In addition to these recommendations, check the riding boot sizing chart for your desired brand of boots to determine whether you should make any specific height adjustments. You'll find riding boot sizing charts provided in both the Dover Saddlery catalog and at DoverSaddlery.com.

If you're choosing a tall boot that is made of very soft leather or that is boxy in cut near the ankle, allow for more drop to occur in the boot. If you want to end up with a boot that has the maximum height for your leg after the break-in phase, take the maximum amount of drop for the boot and add a bit to the height measurement. You'll have an uncomfortable break-in process, but in the end you'll achieve maximum boot height.

Note: Styles in both field and dress boots that feature a Spanish top help to create an elongated look as up to 1 to 1 1/2 inches of curved leather is added to the outside of the top of the boot. A Spanish top is cut higher and more curved than a regular boot top.

5) Match your calf width and height measurements to the riding boot sizing chart pertaining to the brand of boot you wish to order.

If you're considering zippered boots, look for a calf measurement that is as close to or a smidge over your measurement to avoid stressing the zippers. If your calf measurement is as little as 1/8 inch wider than the calf measurement listed for your expected size, you may want to consider the next size up or you may have problems with the boot zippers. If the next size up seems as though it will be too wide for your calf and the boot would be too loose, then consider another boot that will fit your leg better. It is not uncommon when choosing from stock tall boots for riders to consider all size charts and all manufacturers to find their optimal boot.

Shoe size pertains to your usual size for footwear. Some riders choose to go up a foot size if their desired boot height is not available with their regular size. Extra space in the foot can be taken up with an extra foot bed, gel sole or air cushion.

Note: For boots that are offered in whole foot sizes, factor the type of sock you plan to wear into your decision. For example, if you normally wear size 7 1/2 shoe but the boot you wish to order is offered in whole sizes, the thickness of your socks will determine the correct size to order. For heavy, thick socks, you would choose a size 8; for average, thin socks you would choose a size 7.

For more assistance or to request a catalog call 1-800-989-1500. Or, stop by any of our retail stores to speak with a Dover Saddlery product adviser. Visit www.DoverSaddlery.com for a complete store listing and the full product offering.

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